The 2025 Nigerian table tennis season is set for a dramatic finale. The country’s elite players will gather in Lagos this month for the 11th edition of the Elicris Table Tennis Cup.
The highly anticipated showdown is scheduled for December 22–23. Actions will take place at the iconic Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall inside the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Teenage sensation Matthew Kuti leads the pack of stars vying for glory. Organized by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), this two-day championship serves as the final major event on the national calendar.
Building Global Champions
The tournament is sponsored by the Babatunde Abayomi Adejobi (BAA) Foundation. Founder Babatunde Adejobi stated that the competition aims to bridge the gap between local talent and international stardom.
“We will keep helping them achieve their dream of playing at a world level,” Adejobi promised.
He expressed satisfaction with the standard of play. Furthermore, he thanked the NTTF and the Lagos State Sports Commission for their continued technical support.
A Focus on Youth Development
NTTF President Adesoji Tayo emphasized the strategic value of the tournament. He noted that consistent private sponsorship makes the federation’s job of discovering new talent much easier.
Tayo drew inspiration from global trends. He pointed to the rise of teenagers like France’s Lebrun brothers, who have successfully challenged top Chinese pros.
“Our focus remains on youth because they are the future of the sport,” Tayo explained. “When you see teenagers like the Lebrun brothers of France defeating top Chinese stars, it shows us the importance of giving our young players opportunities to shine.”
Expanding the Scope
The tournament has grown significantly in recent years. Tunji Lawal, Chairman of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association, praised the organizers for upgrading the event from a state competition to a national championship.
“We are happy with the management of the BAA Foundation for deciding to go national since last year,” Lawal remarked.
“We believe more players will emerge again this year, and I thank Mr. Adejobi for his forthrightness and vision in making the tournament a national event.”
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